Symptoms:

When one kidney doesn't function, you may not have symptoms because the second kidney adequately filters the blood. Some people develop high blood pressure (hypertension), however.

If the other kidney is not functioning, blockage of the renal artery may cause symptoms of acute kidney failure:

• Abdominal pain
• Abrupt decrease in urine output
• Back pain
• Blood in the urine
• Flank pain or pain in the side

Note: There may be no pain. Pain, if it is present, usually develops suddenly.

Signs and tests:

The doctor will likely not be able to identify the problem by simply examining you, unless you've had the disorder long enough to cause kidney failure.

Tests include:

• MRI or renal scan shows lack of blood flow to the affected kidney
• Renal arteriography shows the exact location of the occlusion